NO SECOND, NO CHANCE: ‘Disappointed’ Mabilog loses anew bid for 80% RPT relief

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

For the second time, opposition Councilor Sheen Marie Mabilog’s proposed ordinance seeking an 80% reduction in real property tax (RPT) failed to move past first reading.

No councilor seconded her refiled ordinance during the regular session on Tuesday, July 30, effectively causing it to be dropped without reaching the committee level.

Mabilog criticized her colleagues — 11 of whom are allied with Mayor Raisa Treñas — accusing them of being “blind and deaf” to the struggles of taxpayers.

Despite her detailed presentation on the impact of the RPT hike, she said the council majority had “closed their minds” to her proposal.

In 2024, Iloilo City implemented its first property valuation adjustment in 18 years, resulting in tax increases of up to 300%.

“I am disappointed with our colleagues in the City Council,” Mabilog said.

“My understanding is that we seem to be blind and deaf to the suffering of the taxpayers.”

She lamented that the outcome reflects the majority bloc’s unwillingness to consider proposals from non-allies.

Mabilog first filed the same measure on July 16, but it failed due to a lack of a second.

At that time, it was listed only under “other matters,” whereas the July 30 attempt was formally included in the reference of business.

She argued that if the proposal were truly unfeasible, it should have been discussed and voted down at the committee level — not dismissed outright.

Despite the repeated rejection, Mabilog vowed to continue pushing for tax relief.

“I saw that there is something wrong, and I will not be silenced,” she said.

“They cannot silence me.”

In the plenary, Councilor Jose Maria “Nene” Dela Llana said the proposal had already been classified as “finished business” under Rule 4, Section 2, B(3)(d) of the council’s internal rules and procedures.

He said refiling it was procedurally improper after it was dismissed in a previous session.

Majority Floor Leader Councilor Rex Marcus Sarabia acknowledged the proposal’s “finished business” status but explained that he exercised discretion to allow it on the agenda.

“There is a provision in Rule 4 that allows an exception if a supplemental action is needed in the interest of public good,” Sarabia said.

“I don’t want this chamber to be presumed to use procedural means to defeat the advocacies of the opposition,” he added.

“I do not want the presumption that we thwart every attempt to propose changes to the RPT.”

Sarabia said he accommodated Mabilog’s item to promote transparency, even though it had failed to gain support on July 16.

“This time, I think we should afford her the opportunity to establish the compelling reason and the public interest involved in this particular item,” he said.

He also questioned whether Mabilog had fully studied the implications of her proposal.

In response, Mabilog accused some councilors of politicizing the issue and said political bias, not merit, was the reason no one seconded her ordinance.

Sarabia pushed back, saying Mabilog’s remarks presumed malice from the council.

“Your statement is a presumption of malice — that we are not willing to listen to you,” he said.

“We suspended the house rules to give you the opportunity.”

‘Excessive, untimely, and unjust’

In her privilege speech, Mabilog described the RPT increase as “excessive, untimely, and unjust.”

The city government approved an updated property valuation in June 2023, which raised the land levy rate from 1.5% to 2%.

It also increased the ad valorem tax on idle lands from 1% to 2% for residential properties, and from 2% to 3% for agricultural, commercial, and industrial properties.

Mabilog argued that even with the current 40% discount, many residents are still struggling.

“Let us not sugarcoat it,” she said.

“The tax is breaking the back of our people.”

She cited an example: a property owner who paid PHP10,000 in RPT in 2023 could now owe PHP30,000 in 2024 under the new schedule.

With a 40% discount, the taxpayer pays PHP18,000 — a total of PHP28,000 when combined with the original amount.

If her proposed 80% discount were approved, the taxpayer would pay only PHP6,000, bringing the total to PHP16,000 and resulting in savings of PHP12,000.

She also cited a case in Mandurriao, one of Iloilo’s most expensive areas, where an assessment jumped from PHP300,076 to PHP3 million.

She said the steep increase is forcing homeowners to sell properties, causing businesses to close or raise prices, and leaving families to choose between paying taxes and buying food.

“We are punishing people for owning land, for staying in the city they love, and for simply surviving,” she said.

Mabilog also compared Iloilo City’s rates with those of other urban centers.

Bacolod charges 1.65% of assessed value.

Pasig imposes 1.5% on residential and 2% on commercial and industrial properties.

Makati, starting January 2025, will lower its rates to 1% for residential and 1.5% for commercial and industrial.

“All these cities have lowered RPT, yet their development remains fast,” she said.

“Why is ours still so high?”

Mabilog noted that Iloilo City remains in strong fiscal shape, with a budget surplus and significant deposits.

She questioned the need for such a large tax hike and reiterated that public service must not come at the expense of the poor.

She ended by renewing her call for transparency in how the city uses tax revenues. (With a report from Juliane Judilla)